Mr. Meepin - Having Weird Poop. Is he sick?

[cindy]

there may have been some other underlying issue that perhaps is now being seen in the birds now... hopefully this will get them back to normal. It is very important to check back in after 4 or 5 days on the meds to let us know how they are doing...

little tip on mixing the tri sulfa with ronex... mix the tri sulfa up first then add the ronex powder to the tri sulfa/water mix... do not make two separate batches and combine it will dilute the meds. Tri sulfa is a bit gritty, shake well. any extra mix goes in the fridge.

[finchlover24]

cindy I'm placing the order now. It'll be Fedex Ground Residential so I'm not sure how long it'll take to arrive but once it does I'll let you guys know and I'll definitely post an update in 4 days. I bought some water tubes for them since I don't want them bathing in the same water that the medication is in, and pooping in that water too. It's the 14oz tube so there's enough for them.

How will we go about baths since we can't supply any other water other than the one with meds in it?

I bought the 5lb Higgin's since it's a ton cheaper than Amazon and for some reason, none of my local pet stores carry it for finches.

[cindy]

if they are not use to using water tubes do not start now.... use your water cup.

You can hang the water tube as well but do not fill it completely. Put about an oz of fluid in it. That way you do not waste meds since you will need to change them out daily.

No bathes, you want the medicated water to be the only source of moisture. No leafy greens either.. eggfood with a bit of grated carrot is fine.

[finchlover24]

cindy Ah poop, I already placed the order.

& I only use a water tub.. I never used a cup since they drank from the same tub

So I'll trade out the tub for a water cup. & From now on (after treatment) I'll offer the tub and a water cup. I hope the meds arrive soon and they get better. Thank you so much.

[cindy]

can I advise you to get them switched over to a tube, more sanitary. When birds bathe they often poop in the water and if drinking the water as their only source they could eventually make themselves and their cage mates ill.

I would use a cage cup and fill halfway with meds and monitor it so it does not run out... do not use the tub.

I would also use the tube with an oz to 2 oz of the medication set through the bars with the lip of the tube resting on a perch not next to the perch, that way they can't sit over the tube and poop in it.

[finchlover24]

cindy What would I use for their baths? Just put a tub of water in their cage for an hour or so and then take it back out?

Ok, so cage cup of water + tube with medication at the same time? Or just the cup of water until the meds come, and then only the tube of meds for the 7 days?

[cindy]

no baths while medicating... use a tube and/or smaller cup for drinking water.. once well you can give them a small bowl to bathe in and once they are done remove it.

[cindy]

would use a cage cup and fill halfway with meds and monitor it so it does not run out... do not use the tub.

I would also use the tube with an oz to 2 oz of the medication set through the bars with the lip of the tube resting on a perch not next to the perch, that way they can't sit over the tube and poop in it.

[finchlover24]

cindy I just swapped out the bowls for cups.. dear lord. Meepin was drinking so much that he fell into the cup! Thankfully he fell in a way he could get out. He's been drinking for the past 5-10 minutes. I hope there isn't something that's irritating him. Someone is going to have some watery poops

I swapped it out for Cooper too and she's afraid of it. I'm afraid of leaving for work and them falling into the cups at some point. Will they just adjust to it?

[cindy]

are these the clear cups? often it is better to not do things drastically but transition the birds gradually...leave the normal drinking bowl for the one that is frighten and also add the cup... you need to make sure she has some fluids...if she is initially afraid and does not have the old method she may not drink.

[cindy]

were these two birds housed together, ever?

[finchlover24]

cindy Yeah, they are clear. I have attached a picture.

Meepin and Cooper are brother and sister (same mom, possibly same dad but from different clutches). The cage is split with a grid wall down the middle and they are neighbors. She moved in once she fledged. He sings to her thru the wall and they sleep side by side at night Of course they peck each other once they are together lol.

I put the bowl back in for her and the cup. Meepin is fine with the cup, he just falls in a couple of times, so I might put the bowl back for him too for now. The glass tubes (along with the medication) should arrive Monday/Tuesday so I'll transition them.

[cindy]

you want them to drink not bathe... you can wash some clear marbles and place them in the bottom of the cup so it will be easier for him to get out of the cup. I would not medicate using the bowl... use both the cup and tube in each cage until they are both drinking well from the tube.

[cindy]

Yes, you can beak dose the nystatin at the same time as the ronex/tri-sulfa mix but start the nystatin (medistatin) now to keep any fungals that may be growing under control while you wait for the other treatments. Beak dosing is done to the side of the beak go slowly so not to aspirate the bird.

[finchlover24]

cindy I have medistatin (I think it's powdered nystatin) could I still use that? Is it still administered to the beak or should I put it in the water? Or maybe give it to them in the egg?